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Original poster

Neighbour stealing or coincidence?

33 replies

AnotherName456 · 02/11/2021 11:23

I live in a building with 2 other flats. One on the top floor, one on the bottom and me in the middle. All flats are owned by the same landlord.

A few months ago I was expecting a package, I was at home but on a zoom call, the door buzzed with my delivery and I let them into the main building. When the meeting was finished I went down stairs to find there was nothing there. I checked my emails and there was a picture the delivery driver had taken of my package in the hallway. Anyway this package never turned up.

Fast forward to last week, it was my birthday
My Aunt had sent me a birthday card with cards from two of my cousins enclosed. I never received the cards.

I know for certain someone has taken my package but do you think it's possible that someone has taken my cards too? It would have looked like there was money enclosed.

Should I just knock round and ask?

OP posts:
FlorenceNightshade · 02/11/2021 11:55

A few months ago? I would have shown my neighbours the picture there and then and ask if they’d seen anyone hanging about or had they had similar happen to them!
Why wouldn’t your cards have been posted through your own letterbox? If there’s a place for post in the communal area ask your landlord to improve security or put up a sign saying all mail to go to your door.
If talking to your neighbours you need to be careful to not be accusing and phrase as if they may be victims too

Original poster
AnotherName456 · 02/11/2021 12:04

@FlorenceNightshade

A few months ago? I would have shown my neighbours the picture there and then and ask if they’d seen anyone hanging about or had they had similar happen to them! Why wouldn’t your cards have been posted through your own letterbox? If there’s a place for post in the communal area ask your landlord to improve security or put up a sign saying all mail to go to your door. If talking to your neighbours you need to be careful to not be accusing and phrase as if they may be victims too
I don't have a letter box, everyone has a box for their post downstairs.

I also didn't ask earlier as I had just moved in and hate confrontation and didn't want it to come across as accusing.

OP posts:
FlorenceNightshade · 02/11/2021 12:08

Ask your landlord for an actual letter box. Ask your neighbours if they’ve had anything go missing as you think/know you have and tell them you’ve spoken to the landlord about improving security. If you word it like that it’s not accusing but concerned.

Original poster
AnotherName456 · 02/11/2021 12:11

@FlorenceNightshade

Ask your landlord for an actual letter box. Ask your neighbours if they’ve had anything go missing as you think/know you have and tell them you’ve spoken to the landlord about improving security. If you word it like that it’s not accusing but concerned.
The problem is even with a letter box the post will still just come through the communal front door. I'm 3 floors up so don't think they would bother to walk up all those stairs.
OP posts:
girlmom21 · 02/11/2021 12:15

I'd say there's just as much a chance that the cards have gone missing in the post, tbh.

The delivery driver shouldn't have left the parcel in the hallway without permission. Again, there's just as much chance of it being him than anyone in the flats.

girlmom21 · 02/11/2021 12:15

And no I'm not one of the neighbours Grin

Original poster
AnotherName456 · 02/11/2021 12:19

@girlmom21

I'd say there's just as much a chance that the cards have gone missing in the post, tbh.

The delivery driver shouldn't have left the parcel in the hallway without permission. Again, there's just as much chance of it being him than anyone in the flats.

True, it could have been the delivery driver.
OP posts:
silverbubbles · 02/11/2021 12:23

Set up a trap to find out which of your neighbours is doing this.

VladmirsPoutine · 02/11/2021 12:48

I would HATE hate this!!! I hate confrontation too but I would set up a trap to see who stole it. So what became of the package? Did your aunt confirm the cards have definitely been sent? Things like this really do add needlessly enormous bouts of stress.

Original poster
AnotherName456 · 02/11/2021 12:59

@VladmirsPoutine

I would HATE hate this!!! I hate confrontation too but I would set up a trap to see who stole it. So what became of the package? Did your aunt confirm the cards have definitely been sent? Things like this really do add needlessly enormous bouts of stress.
I hadn't thought about setting a trap. I might send myself a card or package just to see what happens haha. The package just never turned up and I know the cards were sent as my Aunt keeps asking if they have arrived.
OP posts:
cooroocoocoo · 02/11/2021 13:02

Yes, I would go and ask.

I would also recommend finding ways to stand up for yourself. It does not have to be confrontational (I think my letter got stuck in between mail for other flats/in the paper/etc) You can remain factual. Easier said than done but it will save you a lot of grief in the long run.

Flouts1 · 02/11/2021 13:07

Send a card with a load of cut up paper the size of £20 notes 😂 or buy some Monopoly money of eBay
Put a note in it telling them they are a thieving cunt and you know it’s them 😂

ThatsNotMyReindeer · 02/11/2021 13:10

This calls for a glitter bomb...

AngusThermopyle · 02/11/2021 13:12

Yes just came to say, send yourself a massive exploding glitter bomb 😂

Lairymary · 02/11/2021 13:19

Can you ask LL for separate mail boxes fixed on the outside of the property, explain what is happening. It won't help with parcels though the courier is at fault for leaving it without permission and you should follow up on it. Also the glitter bomb is a marvellous idea. A. BIG. FUCK. OFF. ONE!!

MarigoldMoonStone · 02/11/2021 13:20

You should ask your landlord to put separate locked postboxes downstairs for each flat.
As for the parcel the delivery should of left it right outside your door & not in a communal area, I hope you got the cost of the item back from the company as that is driver error for sure.

vajingleberry · 02/11/2021 13:21

I would HATE hate this!!! I hate confrontation too but I would set up a trap to see who stole it.

And then what would you do?
Confront them?

katmunchkin · 02/11/2021 13:23

Does each flat have a separate address? If so then Royal Mail (and in theory other carriers) would have to deliver to your door if you asked them too, even if it meant walking up two flights of stairs. They have a duty to deliver Mail securely to the right address.

Original poster
AnotherName456 · 02/11/2021 13:27

@katmunchkin

Does each flat have a separate address? If so then Royal Mail (and in theory other carriers) would have to deliver to your door if you asked them too, even if it meant walking up two flights of stairs. They have a duty to deliver Mail securely to the right address.
Everyone has the same number but a different flat letter for example 7B. I think a lot of people delivering packages aren't bringing things to people's doors because of Covid, so they can just say they were following covid safety measures.
OP posts:
Original poster
AnotherName456 · 02/11/2021 13:30

You should ask your landlord to put seperate locked postboxes downstairs

I think I will ask the LL to do this.

OP posts:
DiamondBright · 02/11/2021 13:30

So all the post comes through a letter box on a communal front door and whoever picks it up puts it into your pigeon hole?

That's ridiculous, if you're in separate flats and not a house share, you need a more secure set up, your neighbours could be letting people in, like you did and leaving complete strangers with access to letters and parcels.

Original poster
AnotherName456 · 02/11/2021 13:34

so all the post comes through a letter box on a communal front door and whoever picks it up puts it into your pigeon hole?

Thats exactly it

OP posts:
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 02/11/2021 13:35

Reminded of this... Grin

SheWoreYellow · 02/11/2021 13:36

You need a letter box on the outside of the door then.

TheKLF · 02/11/2021 13:47

I think I'd put a note through both your neighbours letterboxes saying you have had mail/parcels going missing. So that it doesn't appear that you are accusing them directly I'd also ask if either of them have experienced the same thing. I'd finish by saying I was going to involve the police.
Hopefully, that will put a stop to the thieving.